Hello all,
I'd like to introduce you all to RetroBlit Retro Game Framework:
https://pixeltrollgames.itch.io/retroblit
RetroBlit - A Retro Game Framework is a different take at retro game development in Unity. RetroBlit aims to provide a simple hassle-free API for a frictionless pixel perfect environment in which to develop 1990s era true retro games. What makes RetroBlit different is that it does away with the Unity IDE almost entirely, opting out instead for a code-only classic game-loop based environment. There is no scene management, no game objects, no fiddling with camera and asset importing. With RetroBlit you don't need to worry about how to cram that perfect retro feel into Unity, retro is what RetroBlit does. RetroBlit has its own rendering pipeline, and its own audio and input APIs.
Here are some of RetroBlit features:
- Pixel perfect rendering
- Primitive shape rendering, lines, rectangles, triangles, ellipses, pixels
- Multi-layered tilemaps with extensive TMX file support which includes support for infinite maps, objects, and custom properties
- Rendering to and from sprite sheets
- Unicode text rendering, with text alignment, overflow settings, and custom pixel font support
- Sprite packing support
- A set of 30 tweening/interpolation functions
- Clipping
- Custom shader support
- Sound and music APIs
- Simplified input handling
- Optional wide and tall pixel support (think 1980s computer games)
- Post processing and transition effects, such as scanlines, screen wipes, screen shake, fade, pixelate and more
- Garbage Collection aware code, for smooth play without hiccups!
Here is what a simple "Hello World" app looks like in RetroBlit:
public class HelloWorld : RB.IRetroBlitGame
{
public RB.HardwareSettings QueryHardware()
{
var hw = new RB.HardwareSettings();
hw.DisplaySize = new Size2i(320, 180);
return hw;
}
public bool Initialize()
{
return true;
}
public void Update()
{
}
public void Render()
{
RB.Clear(new Color32(128, 128, 128, 255));
RB.Print(new Vector2i(137, 80), Color.white, "Hello World");
}
}
If you're interested in developing Retro games then RetroBlit may be for you. If you think fantasy consoles are great but wish they were more commercially viable and portable then RetroBlit is definitely for you!
Never used Unity, don't want climb that Unity learning curve? No worries, you only need the very bare minimum Unity knowledge to create a RetroBlit project, and I've got you covered with this guide: http://www.pixeltrollgames.com/RetroBlit/docs/unity.html
But that's just words, have a look at the link above for a live WebGL demo, and a number of stand-alone builds for various platforms!
